OCWA construction to blame
The Onondaga County Water Authority or OCWA has received numerous complaints today of a strong chlorlne odor in the water of homes in the eastern suburbs of Onondaga County and surrounding areas. OCWA has assured the public there is no danger in drinking or using the water. Work related to the Eastern Branch Reservoir near Green Lakes State Park is the source of the chlorine smell.
That reservoir has been out of service for two weeks so new valves could be installed in preparation for a new state of the art tank replacement project next year. During the down time chlorine levels were increased to ensure bacteria was killed off in other water lines. Returning the reservoir to service this morning seems to have spiked the chlorine levels briefly creating the odor in homes in Fayetteville, Manlius, Pompey, Canastota, Chittenango, Sylvan Beach and Vienna.
OCWA crews were out this morning testing chlorine levels in the lines and found nothing out of the ordinary. The number of complaints about the problem dwindled as the day progressed.
